Initiatives and Partnerships

The AACR is proud of its mission to prevent and cure cancer through research, education, communication, and collaboration. Some of the AACR’s signature events include:

The AACR June L. Biedler Prize for
Cancer Journalism

The AACR June L. Biedler Prize for Cancer Journalism is a program of the American Association for Cancer
Research (AACR) to raise awareness of the critical role that the media
play in educating the public about cancer and cancer research. The AACR
Biedler Prize has been established to showcase outstanding examples of
cancer journalism, and to recognize individual professional journalists
who have produced accurate, informative, and compelling stories.

Progress and Promise Against Cancer

Each year, in conjunction with the AACR Annual Meeting, the AACR presents Progress and Promise Against Cancer, a community event featuring some of the greatest minds in cancer research. Held in the city hosting the scientific meeting, the event educates the public on a variety of topics including cancer prevention, early detection, diagnosis, treatment, and survivorship. Local patient advocates are also invited to share their inspirational stories.

People v. Cancer presented by The Atlantic

On Nov. 14, 2018, the AACR was proud to serve as a presenting underwriter for The Atlantic’s People v. Cancer, an interactive summit convened to harness the power of human stories to highlight the latest advances in cancer research. The live event featured 2018-2019 AACR President Elizabeth Jaffee, MD, AACR past presidents Michael Caligiuri, MD, and Nancy Davidson, MD, many distinguished members, and patient advocates who spoke during a variety of presentations, panels, and breakout sessions throughout the day. Full coverage of the summit is available on the AACR Community Education page. The AACR will once again support People v. Cancer in 2019, participating in the second annual summit taking place on Nov. 12, 2019, in New York City.

Progress and Promise Against Cancer Television Broadcast

On Nov. 8, 2018, the AACR embarked on an unprecedented collaboration with NBC10/Telemundo and the City of Philadelphia for an all-day television broadcast. Held in conjunction with the AACR Philadelphia Marathon, this live TV broadcast brought together the cancer research experts representing seven of the Philadelphia region’s largest health care and academic institutions to answer questions from viewers who called, emailed, or texted their questions during the program.

Biden Cancer Community Summit

On Friday, Sept. 21, 2018, the AACR and WHYY, Philadelphia’s NPR affiliate, hosted Progress and Promise Against Cancer: A Biden Cancer Community Summit with special guest Dr. Jill Biden. The Summit was held in conjunction with the Biden Cancer Initiative, which convened a national Summit in Washington, D.C. As the largest Summit in Philadelphia, Progress and Promise Against Cancer featured leading cancer researchers to discuss the latest advances in cancer research spanning prevention, treatment, and survivorship.

National Cancer Research Month

Each May, the AACR celebrates National Cancer Research Month, which recognizes the importance of cancer
research and the contributions of researchers, physician-scientists,
survivors, and patient advocates across the United States who are
dedicated to the conquest of cancer.